Who is Sauryn Lao… and Other Stuff

Posted By on March 9, 2024

Bear asked about this yesterday:

The Dodgers signed Sauryn Lao out of the Dominican Republic in 2016 when he was 16 years old. In his seven minor league seasons, he has played every infield position. He averaged .253 with .744 OPS over those seasons. Just when it looked like he was another “flame out” as a minor leaguer, who never got past A+ Ball, the Dodgers decided to convert him to being a pitcher. 2023 was the year that conversion begin.

He actually threw 2.2 innings at Tulsa where he was bombed for a 10.13 ERA. Then, he went to Great Lake where (in 12 iP) he put up a 5.25 ERA. Next, he was backed down to Low A Rancho Cucamonga and in 42 IP he put up a 2.98 ERA with a 1.039 WHIP. He struck out 57 in his 42 IP and only walked 7, despite tremendous movement on his pitches. He also hits the high 90’s on his four-seamer.

He is a 6′ 2″ 180 pound right-handed relief pitcher who is still only 24 years old and has the maturity of a pitcher well beyond his years. He may start at Great Lakes or jump to Tulsa, but from what I hear and see, he could be in LA as soon as 2025. He has a lot of “giddy-up” and spin on his pitches. He’s a natural!

Dodger News

  • It should not be lost on anyone that the Dodger pitchers struck out 14 Ranger batters yesterday.
  • Michael Grove looked amazing.
  • The Position Player Roster is set.
  • Blake Treinen has a “rib contusion.” He will miss some time due to being hit by a “comebacker.”
  • The Pitching Roster is very much up for debate. What is your prediction? OK, I will send a Free Reverse Osmosis Drinking Water Purification System to the FIRST person (time stamped) who gets the pitching staff 100% right. Get it in now.

The Yips

Yesterday, Bluto said this:

The big player I remember having the Yips was Knoblach. He overcame them. The one I can remember who kinda didn’t (debateable) is Ankiel.

No, he did not! This is straight from Wikipedia:

Once considered one of the game’s best fielders (in fact, ESPN personalities nicknamed him “Fundamentally Sound” Chuck Knoblauch), Knoblauch’s play deteriorated shortly into his Yankee career; his errors at second doubled from 13 in 1998 to 26 the following year; all of these were throwing errors. In 2000, he began to have difficulty making accurate throws to first base, a condition sometimes referred to in baseball as the “yips” or “Steve Sax syndrome” in more recent years.

Knoblauch tried various solutions to his problem, but his throwing did not improve. He made 15 errors in less than half a season in 2000, including 10 throwing miscues. (During one game, an errant throw sailed into the stands and hit sportscaster Keith Olbermann’s mother in the head). After making three throwing errors in six innings of the Yankees’ 12–3 loss to the Chicago White Sox, on June 15, 2000, Knoblauch voluntarily left the game. He then left Yankee Stadium in his street clothes while the game was still in progress. He was back at second the next day, but Knoblauch never fully recovered his throwing accuracy, especially after missing most of August with an injury. Knoblauch returned to the Yankees in September, but was often used as a designated hitter in lieu of playing second; he was exclusively a DH in the Yankees’ run to a World Series title. Finally, in 2001, he was reassigned to left field by manager Joe Torre, never to return to his old position.

If I am so Bad… Why Come Here?

Yesterday, DodgerHorse said this about me:

That’s right, that’s why you closed this site, because they didn’t agree with you with what you said about Outman, Lux and Vargas and those people you call disrespectful only returned the treatment that you gave them and obviously that didn’t bother you. I liked it because insulting is not the same as being insulted and you ended up expelling them. Your great collaborators, from the pas,t have fled from you and left you alone, you have a compulsive-obsessive disorder, that is why you have turned this great site into Groundhog Day with the theme Outman, Lux and Vargas.
I hope you get better from your compulsive-obsessive disorder.

In full disclosure, DodgerHorse is delusional, but hey, that’s fine. He is completely wrong but I hope he does not send me a bill for his (bullshit) psychoanalysis. I do, however, question his qualifications to psychoanalyze me.

Cassidy followed it up with this:

You said that you closed down the sight because some people are disrespectful and combative but that’s exactly who you are. You set the tone. At least this isn’t passive aggressive.

My question to you both is: “Why come back if I am that bad?” I do not force you (or anyone) to come here. The site if free and you are free to come or go. Maybe I am too kind or gentle. Maybe I should just call you Freaking Morons and move on. Why are you even here? Do you have anything of value to add? Are you too dumb to leave?

Understand this: I will not back down. I have never backed down. If you think I will, you are an idiot! If you don’t like it here… LEAVE! Oh, and have a nice day! Go Dodgers.

BTW, Cassidy and DodgerHorse have no been banned. I would welcome a debate with them…

This article has 34 Comments

  2. Starters, Grove, Miller, Yamamoto, Glasnow, Paxton. Bullpen, Treinen, Hudson, Yarbrough, Phillips, Graterol, Kelly, Brasier, and…….drum roll………T J McFarland. Vesia has an option, he gets sent down. Sheehan on the IL and Stone to AAA for a little more seasoning.

  3. Starters, Grove, Miller, Yamamoto, Glasnow, Paxton. Bullpen, Treinen, Hudson, Yarbrough, Phillips, Graterol, Kelly, Brasier, and Wilson.

    F*** all the haters. I enjoy this site.

  4. Lao does look good and he looks poised.

    Pitching staff:
    Bobby Miller
    Yamamoto
    Paxton
    Glasnow
    Phillips
    Yarborough
    Graterol
    Kelly
    Brazier
    Treinen
    Hudson
    Vesia
    Grove
    This should be it unless Treinen has a broken rib. McFarland probably deserves it but Hudson is not on 40 man so that would make 2 moves so I doubt. I don’t really care for Grove but the Dodgers don’t need a fifth starter early so Grove is better suited for relief. I would like to c Hurt but I doubt it. Vesia is on the bubble but will have first shot.

  6. Wilson might sneak in there ahead of Gage, McFarland and Vesia. He was lights out the other day. And he has a lot of experience. I think the Dodgers have done well replacing Fergie and Gonzalez. Busch is hitting .211 this spring with a homer and 2 RBIs. But he pretty much will make the team since the Cubs sent their #1 prospect, Pete Crow-Armstrong to AAA yesterday. Belli will most likely be in CF with Busch manning first.

  8. Yamamoto
    Glasnow
    Miller
    Stone
    Paxton
    Phillips
    Graterol
    Kelly
    Vesia
    Treinen
    Grove
    Yarborough
    Brasier

    Go Dodgers!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

  9. a little piss and vinegar never hurt anybody! i tried jeffs site , but it wasn’t the same. i really look forward to reading here every morning. don’t agree with all i read but sure do enjoy it! haven’t seen an exact time for Walker to be in the rotation. i believe we all want Lux to succeed , whether it’s at ss or 2nd or eventually in the outfield. having his bat at the bottom of the lineup will be such a game changer! even on days barnes is in the lineup i would leave him in the 9 spot. if his throwing continues to be erratic at 2nd , then what?? i’m just praying he can handle 2nd base as not to create issues for mookie at shortstop. Grove did look fantastic yesterday. consistency his my only concern with him. i hope we make through this season without talking about firing Doc! while i believe he has anything to worry about as long as AF is there, he has to have a deep run this postseason. i’m not aa Doc hater , nor am i a Doc lover either. like i have said before, who would replace him? while lots of writers and experts consider the dodgers the favorites in the NL, as things stand at this moment, i still think the Braves are slightly better with the Phillies not far behind the dodgers. now if Buehler comes back healthy that changes everything. i’m so excited for baseball to ramp up ! march madness is here, nascar season is going strong, college baseball is great,(please get rid of aluminum bats) ! just had 2 more beautiful grandchildren (7 total), retirement in july, life’s good! lets all be happy and enjoy the games!!!

  10. Question, Mark.
    Are you looking for the pitching roster for the first game in Korea or the first game back here in the States?

    And when I win, are you going to fly someone out here to LA to install it for me or am I going to have to get Bear or Badger to do it?

      1. I’m well aware that you live in Colorado, Bear, but I’m totally devastated that you wouldn’t drive out here to install my new water system for me.

        Now, let’s see, who to put on my list of pitchers: Koufax, Podres, Drysdale, Labine……………………………

        1. I am no plumber. As a matter of fact, I totally suck at fixing things. But I do have two new headlight assembly’s coming for my truck. Last time I replaced them it took about three hours. Should go faster this time.

  11. 4:05 PM ET vs Snakes at Glendale

    Diamondbacks (7-9)
    Dodgers (11-3-1)

    SP Brandon Pfaadt R
    0-0 .00 ERA
    SP Gavin Stone R
    0-0 .00 ERA

    Confirmed Lineup
    SS Mookie Betts R
    DH S. Ohtani L
    1B F. Freeman L
    C Will Smith R
    RF J. Heyward L
    LF T. Hernandez R
    CF James Outman L
    2B Gavin Lux L
    3B Miguel Rojas R

    76° Wind 10 mph R-L

    1. Shortly after the initial lineups were announced for today’s game against the Arizona Diamondbacks, infielder Miguel Rojas was scratched from the lineup. He is dealing with lower leg soreness, so the team likely wants to be cautious with him

      Updated lineup:

      Betts SS
      Ohtani DH
      Freeman 1B
      Smith C
      Heyward RF
      Hernández, T. LF
      Outman CF
      Taylor 3B
      Lux 2B
      Stone P

      1. Bob Nightengale
        @BNightengale
        Special day for Dodgers manager Dave Roberts who will exchange lineup cards today with his son, Cole, a prospect with the Diamondbacks who will play today against his dad. And if he happens to homer? ‘I’ll cheer,’’ Roberts said

  12. Brasuer; Glasnow; Stone; Grove; Kelly; Miller; Paxton; Phillips; Yamamoto; Yarbrough; Vesia; Feyereisen; Hurt:

    I would have Treinen on the roster until he got hit yesterday. Rib injuries are painful. I think the the Dodgers would error to the safe side.

    Thanks for bringing back this website.

    1. Feyereisen is pitching himself off of the roster. He has not looked good. Probably still pretty rusty from the long layoff. Still have to sign in every time I post Mark.

  13. Fabian Ardaya
    @FabianArdaya
    Brusdar Graterol won’t be going with the Dodgers to Korea. Has only pitched once this spring and complained of hip tightness during that outing. He will resume throwing on Tuesday and is still hopeful he can be ready for domestic Opening Day.

    1. It seems like every year he’s not ready to play Spring training. Some of these guys really do need some off-season accountability. There have to be ways for the coaching staff to track the activity and workouts of players when they’re home in the Dominican Republic or wherever. It’s a bygone era where players relaxed and drank beer in the off-season and took three weeks of ST to get back in shape.

  14. Fabian Ardaya
    @FabianArdaya
    Blake Treinen’s x-rays showed no fracture in his ribs. He has a right lung contusion, Dave Roberts said, though they aren’t ruling out Korea for him yet.

    “He didn’t dodge a baseball, but we dodged a bullet,” Roberts said.

  15. “Understand this: I will not back down. I have never backed down.”

    … except every six months or so when you rage quit and vow never to return. (I’m having fun. Don’t take it personally)

    I like Cassidy as a poster. He’s not a Timmons hater, and there are quite a few sufferers of TDS (Timmons Derangement Syndrome). You should be careful of what you wish for. If you tell people to leave, they just might, and then you’re left with an echo chamber of sycophants. That’s not good, either.

    I can’t do Jeff’s site for that reason. If I write anything in any way that stirs the pot I feel like I just farted in the middle of a church sermon, and I find the smoldering passive aggression distasteful.

    For the time being, you’re right about Lux at SS. I’ll eat crow on that. Let’s not go all Evita Peron and let it megalomaniacally go to your head.

  16. OK, now that I know it’s regular season and not Korea, here’s my list:
    Yamamoto
    Glasnow
    Miller
    Paxton
    Yarbrough
    Grove
    Brasier
    Phillips
    Hudson
    Vesia
    Wilson
    Kelly
    Stone

    Actually, this is the same list I would have had for Korea. I don’t expect Treinen, Feyereisen or Graterol to be ready, even for the first games here in the States.

  19. It’s almost impossible to predict, because pitchers get injured, like Treinen and Graterol currently. But my prediction is:

    Yamamoto
    Glasnow
    Miller
    Paxton
    Stone
    Phillips
    Brasier
    Treinen
    Graterol
    Kelly
    Hudson
    Yarbrough
    Vesia

    Currently Treinen and Graterol are injured, so, if there’s 1 replacement needed, it will be Feyereisen. If a 2nd one is needed, it will be Hurt.

    Personally, I’d rather see Feyereisen and Hurt on the roster instead of 2 of Kelly, Yarbrough, Vesia.

  20. Yamamoto
    Glasnow
    Miller
    Paxton
    Stone
    Phillips
    Brasier
    Treinen
    Graterol
    Kelly
    Hudson
    Yarbrough
    McFarland

  21. My guess at the rotation will be:

    Yamamoto
    Miller
    Glasgow
    Paxton
    Stone
    Yarborough
    Phillips
    Braiser
    Kelly
    Hudson
    Wilson
    Treinen
    McFarland

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